If you have diabetes, you have an increased risk for developing foot ulcers.  Foot ulcers are the most common reason for hospital stays for people with diabetes.

 

Some of the statistics are startling and worth mentioning! According to the American Diabetes Association, the average outpatient cost of treating a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is $28,000 per episode. 25 percent of people with diabetes will develop a DFU in their lifetime. It has been estimated that every 20 seconds a lower limb is amputated due to complications of diabetes. Mortality following amputation ranges from 50-68% at five years – which is comparable or worse than most malignancies.

 

Diabetic ulcers are often painless due to neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes) in the legs and feet. Neuropathy can also lead to changes in the shape of the feet and toes. Foot ulcers are partly caused by too much pressure on one part of the foot. People with diabetes need to ensure they wear appropriate footwear. You may need to have your foot measured by a professional. It may be necessary for your health care provider to prescribe “special” shoes for you.

 

“Wear properly fitting shoes at all times, even when you are in the house, and keep your blood sugar under control – that means less than 200 every time you check it,” said Monica Burt, RN, BSN, clinical coordinator of Forrest General’s Wound Healing Center.

 

One of the biggest threats to your feet is smoking. Smoking affects small blood vessels.  It can cause decreased blood flow to the feet and make wounds heal slowly.

 

Lewis Hatten, M.D., medical director of Forrest General’s Wound Healing Center, stated, “Diabetic foot ulcers usually result from two or more risk factors occurring together, such as neuropathy, foot deformity, uncontrolled diabetes or arterial disease accompanied by trauma, such as poorly fitting footwear or an injury to the foot.”

 

Diabetic footwear can be found at durable medical equipment stores and online. Look for footwear that has been endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. It is important for patients with diabetes to routinely (every day) inspect their feet and toes (even in-between) for calluses, splits in the skin, bruising or ulcerations. If any abnormality is noted, the patient should call their physician immediately.

 

If you have diabetes, you should moisturize your feet and legs daily (after your bath or shower) using unscented, hypoallergenic lotion. It is important to NOT put any type of moisturizer or creams in between your toes. Foot ulcers most often occur on the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. Ulcers on the sides of the foot are most often due to poorly fitting shoes.

 

Even though some ulcers do not hurt, every ulcer should be seen by your health care provider right away. If your ulcer is not healing and the circulation is poor, you may need to be referred to a vascular surgeon.

 

High blood glucose levels make it hard to fight infection. If you develop an ulcer or a break in the skin on your feet, good wound care is important in order to stop the progression of the damage.

 

Forrest General Hospital proudly houses the Wound Healing Center, an outpatient clinic that treats problem wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. A multidisciplinary team including physicians who are experts in the field of wound healing, work together to ensure that the most up to date and appropriate treatment is provided in caring for those with diabetic foot ulcers. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is provided here and is often utilized when treating diabetic foot ulcers and other problem wounds.

 

“Our job as wound care professionals is to prevent amputations in people with diabetes. By utilizing state of the art therapies and treatments, we work to heal ulcers and problem wounds quickly. This is all with the ultimate goal of increasing the patient’s quality and length of life,” said Vanessa Waters, RN, BSN, CHT, program manager.

 

All patients with diabetes must develop a routine for foot and toe inspection. If a change in the skin or an ulcer is noted, you should make an appointment with your health care provider as soon as possible. Diabetic foot ulcers are a major cause for amputations; and in order to prevent amputations, you must take care of your feet and seek medical care if any change is noted in the skin.

 

If you are concerned about changes in your skin, please call us at Forrest General’s Wound Healing Center at 601-288-3890 or check us out on Forrest General Hospital’s website www.forrestgeneral.com. To learn more about diabetes and foot ulcers, go to www.diabetes.org/living-with diabetes/complications/foot-complications/ or www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000077.htm.